During dips in Cir X-1, a bright component is obscured, revealing a faintscattered component. Using RXTE, we found a similar Fe Kalpha flux inside andoutside dips, suggesting that Fe fluorescence occurs in the scattering medium. We will use EPIC to better constrain physical paramters using this line, andwill use RGS to search for other fluorescence lines at lower energy. Our extensive RXTE study also revealed that the flares are associated with branchesof a Z-source track. We discovered an unusual line- or edge-like featurenear 10 keV on the normal and flaring branches, and our simulations show thatthe PN could resolve this feature. We have performed extensive simulations ofEPIC timing modes in order to confirm that pile-up will not be a problem for PN.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2001-02-28T02:17:19Z/2001-03-01T19:44:24Z
Version
17.56_20190403_1200
Mission Description
The European Space Agencys (ESA) X-ray Multi-Mirror Mission (XMM-Newton) was launched by an Ariane 504 on December 10th 1999. XMM-Newton is ESAs second cornerstone of the Horizon 2000 Science Programme. It carries 3 high throughput X-ray telescopes with an unprecedented effective area, and an optical monitor, the first flown on a X-ray observatory. The large collecting area and ability to make long uninterrupted exposures provide highly sensitive observations. Since Earths atmosphere blocks out all X-rays, only a telescope in space can detect and study celestial X-ray sources. The XMM-Newton mission is helping scientists to solve a number of cosmic mysteries, ranging from the enigmatic black holes to the origins of the Universe itself. Observing time on XMM-Newton is being made available to the scientific community, applying for observational periods on a competitive basis.
European Space Agency, Dr Robert Shirey, 2002, 'Spectroscopy of Dips and Flares in Cir X-1', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-qjbmel6
